Chapter 2

Just before I returned home earlier, Susan had been on a video call with Wilfred. He was trying to make her keep me a little longer, so that I wouldn't get in the way of him and his beloved.

Watching Susan's nervous demeanor, I purposely hurried back, my breath heavy and ragged.

"Susan, Wilfred's colleague said that he's not working late tonight. I called him as well, but he didn't pick up!"

A flicker of guilt flashed across Susan's face, but she quickly masked it, trying to defend Wilfred. "Maybe someone asked him to step out for a bit. If you can't reach him now, try again a little later."

At that moment, Bernice O'Neil, Wilfred's aunt, arrived on the scene. She was accompanied by Sarah's in-laws, Henry Pruett and Edna McKellen.

As soon as Bernice spotted me, her brow knitted into a frown. "Where's Wilfred? Isn't he the obstetrician? Why haven't you notified him? What exactly are you doing here then?"

Bernice was my late father-in-law's older sister. Since his passing, she had taken charge of all matters concerning the O'Neil family.

In my previous life, Bernice had slapped me twice when the doctor said Sarah had passed away.

"You're Sarah's sister-in-law, for crying out loud. How could you just stand there and watch her die?" she had snapped.

This time, I refused to let her have that power over me.

I forced a bitter smile. "Bernice, Wilfred can't be reached. He told me this morning that he was working overtime, but when I checked just now, his colleagues said he didn't come in today. I've tried calling him, but there's been no answer."

Susan paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. But in the end, she chose to remain silent.

"Are you an idiot? Why didn't you keep trying if you couldn't get through?" Bernice retorted.

I quickly pulled out my phone and kept dialing Wilfred's number repeatedly.

On the tenth attempt, the call finally went through.

I switched it to speaker immediately.

"Honey—"

"Are you crazy? Why are you calling nonstop? Didn't I tell you I'm working overtime? I'm busy! Stop bothering me!"

"Honey, Sarah had a bad fall and is bleeding heavily. She's still in surgery and hasn't come out yet. If you're not at the hospital, then where could you possibly be?"

There was a sudden silence on the other end. Out of nowhere, a woman's sharp, pretentious voice broke through.

"Ariana, the fact that you went to the hospital to look for Wilfred says a lot about your trust in him. Wilfred, do you think your colleagues would misunderstand the situation?

"Ariana, if you want answers, why don't you ask Wilfred directly? Instead, you show up at his workplace without a word and even wish harm on Sarah. Doesn't that seem a little malicious?"

"No, I'm not bluffing. Wilfred, Sarah is actually in the operating room. If you don't believe me, you can—"

Wilfred stopped me short. "Enough! If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. How could Sarah possibly fall at her mother-in-law's house? Even if you're jealous or throwing a tantrum, that's no excuse to cause trouble at my workplace.

"If my year-end evaluation takes a hit because of this, I won't let you off easy."

Before I could speak again, the call was suddenly disconnected.

The murmurs at the entrance to the operating room faded into an eerie silence.

I forced a bitter smile, pretending to be deeply wounded.

Susan quickly averted her gaze. A flicker of embarrassment flashed across Bernice's face, but she stayed silent.

Henry and Edna sighed, their faces twisted in disdain.

Just then, the operating room door flew open. A nurse hurried out, anxiety written all over her face.

"The patient is experiencing an amniotic fluid embolism! Aren't you all Dr. O'Neil's family? Someone, please contact him immediately!"

My eyes widened in surprise. Everything was unfolding just as it had in my previous life.

Susan's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.

Meanwhile, Bernice couldn't keep up her indifferent facade any longer.

She quickly dialed Wilfred's number, whispering to herself, "It's okay, it's okay. Wilfred is the best obstetrician. He's saved countless patients with amniotic fluid embolism. He can definitely save Sarah."